Graduate Study Center

All Fresno State graduate students are welcome to use the computer workstations and
study rooms in our study center space. No reservations are required.

NEW! Graduate Writing Groups

Are you looking for additional writing support? We are forming multi-disciplinary,
discipline-specific, and virtual (ZOOM) writing groups. Check out our information on Graduate Writing Groups! (162kb)

Graduate Writing Studio

Spring 2015 Writing Studio Appointments

Appointment Hours: M-Th: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; F: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

NEW!!! Virtual Consultations with Zoom!

Zoom Meeting Experience

Zoom is an online meeting and conferencing platform that allows for audio, video,
and screen sharing. It is an easy to use and high quality solution for those students
who, due to distance and time constraints, are unable to physically meet with writing
consultants. If you would like more information about Zoom, please visit their website:
www.zoom.us.

In the Graduate Writing Studio, we are utilizing Zoom for one-on-one writing consultations.
We are implementing “Zoom only” and “Zoom hybrid” sessions. “Zoom only” sessions
use the audio, video, and screen sharing features. “Zoom hybrid” sessions use the
screen sharing features of Zoom along with audio via a traditional phone line. The
hybrid session accommodates students who may not have a microphone-enabled computer.
In this instance, the consultant will invite the student to the on-line Zoom meeting
and will also call the student on the phone.

Appointment slots are held until 10 minutes past the hour; after this time, the session
will be given away to another student.

Failure to attend a scheduled appointment without notifying GWS staff 24 hours in
advance will result in cancellation of subsequent appointments.

Consultants may work with students on projects, theses, or other longer papers as
part of a Fresno State course assignment; consultants may also collaborate with students
on professional development needs like cover letters for doctoral, employment, or
scholarship applications. Otherwise, consultants are not permitted to advise students
on written material unrelated to the pursuit and completion of a master's or doctoral
degree at Fresno State.

Drop-in Hours

We are excited about our new drop-in schedule. February drop-in hours are Mondays,
Tuesdays, and Thursdays 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. If you are interested in dropping in, come
by during these hours and sign up for a 30-minute appointment. A daily sign-up sheet
will be available shortly before 3 p.m. on each of those days.

In addition, every hour the Graduate Writing Studio is open may be considered a "drop-in"
time. Students often do not use all 50 minutes of a session, and there are occasionally
students who fail to show up for scheduled appointments. If either of the Graduate
Writing Studio doors are open (i.e., the "Consultation in Progress" sign is not posted), students are welcome to "drop-in" on the consultant; even if it's only for
15 minutes, it could be time well-spent.

Graduate Writing Studio Philosophy

The Graduate Writing Studio consultants view writing as constantly developing and
changing, and they encourage students to engage in writing as a process through brainstorming,
drafting, and discussing their work.

GWS consultants will meet graduate students at any stage of the writing process.
However, consultants are not permitted to proofread and edit papers for mechanical
and grammatical errors without explanation or discussion with the student.

GWS consultants are trained to promote collaborative learning, where the student
is an active participant in the session; offer practical encouragement and constructive
criticism; and direct students to resources that will help them continue their work
independently after the session. The goal of each session is for the student to increase
his or her skill level, confidence, and independence as a writer.

GWS consultants are trained as well to ask students questions about their writing
goals and concerns. Given the length of most graduate-level writing assignments (e.g.,
theses, projects), consultants will not likely be able to review the entire piece
of writing; students should be prepared to identify which portion or portions of an
assigned writing task they wish to cover within the time frame of the consultation.

Handouts and Power Points

The handouts contain some common issues we cover in consultations. The Power Points
are shorter versions of the classroom presentations or mini-workshops offered on campus.

Social Media

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to receive information on dissertation
and thesis deadlines, along with helpful advice and articles that will help you gain
confidence as a writer and researcher.

Quick Links

Your browser does not support JavaScript! This javascript displays a jump menu.